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Attributes | |
ACN | 1438331 |
Time | |
Date | 201704 |
Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
Place | |
Locale Reference | ADW.Airport |
State Reference | MD |
Aircraft 1 | |
Make Model Name | Military |
Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
Route In Use | VFR Route |
Flight Plan | VFR |
Aircraft 2 | |
Make Model Name | Military |
Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
Route In Use | VFR Route |
Flight Plan | VFR |
Person 1 | |
Function | Local |
Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
Experience | Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2 |
Events | |
Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Helicopter X called me at local control for a practice departure scramble launch from their flight line. I was trying to resolve a transponder issue with the two previous helicopters that departed shortly before helicopter X called. At the same time; a medevac aircraft which was a higher priority called ready for departure which I was trying to coordinate a release for with the departure controller. Helicopter X departed and entered class B airspace without a clearance. I radar identified helicopter X and allowed them to continue their mission. A brasher warning was not issued.shortly after helicopter Y called me for a practice departure scramble launch from their flight line. I issued helicopter Y the medevac aircraft traffic that was cleared for takeoff and departing runway 1L; but not clearance into the washington bravo airspace. Helicopter Y entered the bravo airspace without clearance. I radar identified helicopter Y and they continued on their mission. A brasher warning was not issued.helicopter X and helicopter Y's flight line is on the west side of the airport. Helicopter Y departed his flight line north bound while aircraft Z was rotating. Aircraft Z was on a SID that states he must turn to a 270 heading within 3 DME of adw. As aircraft Z started his turn; helicopter Y was underneath him and separation was not ensured.when the helicopters are practicing their scramble missions they must obtain a clearance from local control before entering class-B airspace. If we are unable to answer their initial call right away they depart without a clearance. This type of event happens on a daily basis at adw and is a huge safety concern in the tower. The tower has called their flight line on numerous occasions; however this event continues to happen.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: ADW Tower Local Controller reported two helicopters departed without a clearance conflicting with departing traffic. The helicopters also entered Class B airspace without clearance.
Narrative: Helicopter X called me at Local Control for a practice departure scramble launch from their flight line. I was trying to resolve a transponder issue with the two previous helicopters that departed shortly before helicopter X called. At the same time; a MEDEVAC aircraft which was a higher priority called ready for departure which I was trying to coordinate a release for with the departure controller. Helicopter X departed and entered Class B airspace without a clearance. I radar identified helicopter X and allowed them to continue their mission. A Brasher Warning was not issued.Shortly after helicopter Y called me for a practice departure scramble launch from their flight line. I issued helicopter Y the MEDEVAC aircraft traffic that was cleared for takeoff and departing Runway 1L; but not clearance into the Washington Bravo Airspace. Helicopter Y entered the Bravo airspace without clearance. I radar identified helicopter Y and they continued on their mission. A Brasher Warning was not issued.Helicopter X and helicopter Y's flight line is on the west side of the airport. Helicopter Y departed his flight line north bound while aircraft Z was rotating. Aircraft Z was on a SID that states he must turn to a 270 heading within 3 DME of ADW. As aircraft Z started his turn; helicopter Y was underneath him and separation was not ensured.When the helicopters are practicing their scramble missions they must obtain a clearance from Local Control before entering Class-B airspace. If we are unable to answer their initial call right away they depart without a clearance. This type of event happens on a daily basis at ADW and is a huge safety concern in the Tower. The Tower has called their flight line on numerous occasions; however this event continues to happen.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.